Vijaynagar, Changlang

Vijoynagar (also known as Vijay Nagar and Vijaynagar) is a remote town and circle headquarter in the Changlang district of south Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India, known for its pristine natural beauty and unique geographical position as the easternmost inhabited area of the country, bordered by Myanmar on three sides and the Namdapha National Park on the other.

History

This area was part of North-East Frontier Agency. In a 1961–1962 expedition led by the Assam Rifles, Maj. Gen A.S Gauraya found an unexplored serene landscape of Indian territory between the three-sided border of Burma (Myanmar) and named the region Vijaynagar after Gauraya's son "Vijay". After the settlement process was initiated by the North East Frontier Agency (now known as Arunachal Pradesh), two hundred Gurkha families of Assam Rifles soldiers (95% of whom are Gurkhas) settled there.

Geography

Vijoynagar is from the nearest navigable road in India located at Miao by foot. It is bordered to the south and east by Myanmar, and to the north by a thick forest of the Namdapha National Park. Nearby Indian cities are Miao, Hayuliang, and Tezu. Putao is the nearest city in Myanmar.

Noa Dihing River, also locally known as the ''Nam Dhing'' and ''Dihing River'', which originates near Chaukan Pass and flows westward into Assam in India as a tributary of the Brahmaputra River. Vijaynagar and the valleys and passes around it lie in the basin of this river.

Patkai Bum range surrounds the Noa Dihing River valley and Vijaynagar from 3 sides and all the passes around Vijaynagar lie in this subrange. Patkai Bum range is a sub-range of the Patkai hills in southeastern Arunachal Pradesh. This mountain chain forms part of the natural boundary between India and Myanmar. The range is known for its forested ridges, rugged terrain, and conical peaks, and plays a vital role in regional ecology and hydrology. The Patkai range is historically significant as part of ancient trade and migration routes between Northeast India and Upper Burma. Forming part of the larger Purvanchal Range, the Patkai Hills are characterized by steep slopes, conical peaks, and deep valleys. The range is densely forested and supports a rich biodiversity, including rare species such as the Hoolock gibbon and various hornbill species. The Patkai Hills are not as rugged as the Himalayas, with peaks generally lower in elevation. One of the significant passes in this range is the Pangsau Pass, which historically served as a strategic route during World War II. The Patkai Bum Range plays a crucial role in the climatic and ecological dynamics of the northeastern region of India.

Following passes, around Vijaynagar valley, lie in this subrange:

Gphuka Pass (approx. 2,200 m) lies roughly 14 km northwest of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It provides a route between India and Myanmar through the Patkai hills, marked by Border Pillar No. 182. The Nam Dihing River flows nearby in India, and the area beyond the pass falls into the basin of the Chindwin River in Myanmar. The nearest peak is Shawngshan Bum (2,448 m).

Hpungan Pass (3,072 m) is situated north of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, and is part of the border trail system in the eastern Patkai range. It is marked by Border Pillar No. 185. The Indian side is drained by the Nam Dihing River, and the Myanmar side by tributaries of the Chindwin River. The nearest notable peak is Phongan Razi (3,635 m).

Mugaphi Pass (3,650 m) is located approximately 24 km east of Vijaynagar in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the highest passes in the region and part of the cross-border route into Myanmar. Border Pillar No. 184 is nearby. The Nam Dihing River lies on the Indian side, while the Myanmar side leads into the Chindwin River system. The closest peak is Phongan Razi (3,635 m).

Chaukan Pass (2,448 metres), approximately 25 km southeast of Vijaynagar in Arunachal Pradesh, is a significant saddle on the India–Myanmar border between two peaks Chaukan Bum (3,046 m) in north and Chawngshan Bum (3,287 m) in south all of which lie on junction of Patkai and Kumon mountain ranges. Marked by the Border Pillar No. 183, established in 1971, and is surrounded by dense tropical forests and rugged terrain. The pass historically served as a route toward Putao, the nearest settlement in Myanmar located approximately 60 km to the northeast accessible via challenging trails through the Hukawng Valley, in Myanmar’s Kachin State. The Noa Dihing River flows westward into Assam in India. On the Myanmar side, the pass descends into the basin of the Namyang River (also known as the Namyang River, not to be confused with similarly named Namwan River), which eventually joins the Chindwin River.

Administration

Today, Vijoynagar Headquarters and the Vijoyanagar Sub-Division consist of a cluster of 14 villages on the border with Myanmar: Ramnagar, Chididi, Majgoan, Two-hut, Budhamandir, Phaparbari, Daragoan, Gehrigaon, Topi-Hill, Preeti Nagar, (Assam Rifle settlers) Hazolo, Sidikuh, Twohut and Dawadi (Yobin inhabitants). This border town is also known as Daudi in the local language of the Lisu (Yobin) people who reside there.

People

The area comprises sixteen villages with a population of approximately 4,500 people, including a significant number of families of retired Assam Rifles Gurkha personnel and members of the indigenous Lisu people (Yobin) who speak a tonal Lisu language part of Tibeto-Burman language family. According to the 2011 census, Vijoynagar has a population of 4,438.

Education

Educational infrastructure includes several primary schools and a government-run secondary school offering education up to the tenth standard.

Tourism

Vijaynagar, with progressively improving connectivity, is emerging as a promising destination for eco and rural tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. Surrounded by the verdant forests of the Namdapha National Park and bordered by Myanmar on three sides, the region offers breathtaking natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The Arunachal Pradesh government has recognized its potential, with initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity and promoting sustainable tourism. Local communities, particularly in villages like Hazolo, are actively participating in tourism development. These villages, inhabited by the hospitable Yobin/Lisu tribe, are known for their skilled artisans and craftsmen who produce high-quality handmade products. Tourism awareness programs have been organized to educate villagers on hospitality, conservation, and the preservation of their cultural heritage. Such initiatives aim to transform Vijaynagar into a sought-after tourist hotspot, fostering economic growth while preserving its unique cultural and natural assets.

Tourist attractions include the following:

* Mandatory Permits Required: The region’s isolation and proximity to the Myanmar border necessitate permits: an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian tourists and a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreign tourists.

* Trekking in Vijoynagar
: Vijaynagar provides numerous cultural enrichment and eco-tourism trekking and driving opportunities to several villages and passes in the area.

* Namdapha National Park
: Located adjacent to Vijaynagar, Namdapha National Park is the fourth-largest national park in India, spanning 1,985 km². It is a biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas, hosting over 1,000 floral and 1,400 faunal species, including rare species like the snow leopard, clouded leopard, red panda, and Hoolock gibbon. The park offers trekking, camping, and birdwatching, with campsites like Deban and Hornbill for nature enthusiasts. The best time to visit is October to March.
: Visitors require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for entry into Arunachal Pradesh and a tourist permit from the Field Director’s Office at Namdapha.

* Gandhigram and Vijaynagar Inspection Bungalows
: Maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD), these inspection bungalows in Gandhigram and Vijaynagar serve as accommodation options for tourists. They provide a base for exploring the remote region, though advance reservations through the Field Director’s Office at Namdapha are recommended. Visitors are advised to carry provisions, as food options are limited.

* Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground (ALG)
: Operated by the Indian Air Force, the Vijaynagar ALG is a key logistical point in this remote area. While primarily a military site, its strategic location near the Myanmar border may interest visitors curious about the region’s geopolitical significance.

* Miao Museum
: Situated near the Field Director’s Office of Namdapha National Park, the Miao Museum, maintained by park authorities, displays animal specimens from Namdapha, including mammal pelts and bird skins, offering insights into the biodiversity of the Mishmi Hills.

* Miao Mini Zoo
: Located opposite the Miao Museum, the Miao Mini Zoo houses species native to Namdapha, such as slow loris, Assamese macaque, pig-tailed macaque, Hoolock gibbon, leopard cat, porcupine, and Himalayan palm civet. It provides an educational experience for tourists interested in the region’s wildlife.

Transportation

Until the Miao-Vijoynagar Road is fully constructed and/or Vijoynagar Airport is brought under the UDAN scheme, a challenging 6-day trek from Miao is required (2025 update).

* Air

** Helicopter: Helicopter services from Mohanbari Airport in Dibrugarh in Assam or Miao in Arunachal Pradesh is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, subject to availability.

** Vijoynagar Airport, also called the Vijaynagar Advanced Landing Ground, is a military airport and not yet open for the civilian traffic as of 2025. This is the 8th Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh which was upgraded by the Indian Airforce (IAF) and Indian Army in September 2019 to allow the landing of fighter jets and large transport planes. There are demands to bring this under UDAN regional connectivity for the scheduled commercial civilian flights.

* Railway
** Margherita railway station in Assam is the nearest existing station, approximately 220 km east of Vijoynagar, and 65 km from Miao.

* Road
** Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway (APFH) has Vijoynagar as it's western terminus point. It is a road following the McMahon Line from Mago (Tawang) and Thingbu to Vijoynagar. A map of the proposed route can be see
here
an
here
Before being upgraded to the AFPH, the Vijoynagar-Miao road, costing ₹225 crores, construction was completed in 2019.Expedite Miao-Vijaynagar road: Arunachal Governor
Nenow.in, 2 September 2019.

** There are plans to extend this APFH to Putao Airport in Myanmar under the Look East policy, thus connecting it to both India's and Myanmar's national highway networks.

** Local mettled link roads to villages around Vijaynagar were built and upgraded in 2019.

See also

* List of extreme points of India
* Ledo Road

References

{{Indian Air Force

Changlang district